Working with the Trust led by Bury College to support and project manage the conversion of two primary schools (separate timelines) and to bring them under the Trusts’ management. GLK also worked with BCET to detail the additional support and capacity the two schools would require from the Trust.
Our support for Bury College Education Trust started in 2013. Bury College procured GLK Solutions to project manage the conversion of their first primary school, Radcliffe Primary School. As part of this work we:
- Completed their consultation with staff, parents, and the local community
- Co-ordinated TUPE with the local authority
- Ensured contracts and services were ready to transfer following conversion
- Provided the main point of contact with the local authority and legal firm
- Supported the development of a new school website
- Supported the Trust to legally form and develop its governance structure whilst also supporting the recruitment of Trustees
In 2014 we returned to support the conversion of their second primary school, Elton Primary School. GLK Solutions project managed the conversion activities using the same approach as Radcliffe Primary School. For this conversion we placed particular focus on the consultation phase with staff, pupils, and the wider community. The school had some concerns about conversion and wanted to ensure this was the right decision. We provided additional consultation events and ensure the school leaders and the Trust were available to answer questions and engage with all stakeholders.
Both conversions were relatively short in terms of the timelines to complete all activity. On both occasions we worked closely with the Trust and the local authority to ensure all activity was planned and the resources were placed to complete on time.
Following the two conversions, GLK Solutions was brought back to support the Trust through a capacity building project. Now that the Trust was responsible for two primary schools they wanted to understand their capacity and re-organise their support. GLK Solutions reviewed all central support services in place, provided a gap analysis, and presented their findings back to the Trust.
We appointed GLK Solutions in 2013 to undertake the creation of a multi academy trust alongside an academy conversion for a local primary school. The work required the co-ordination of a wide range of stakeholders and the delivery of a critical project tasks. The project was high profile for the College and it was essential for it to be delivered on time and on budget. Gemma and the team from GLK were excellent and ensured that the project remained on track. Gemma and her team have significant knowledge around academies, free schools and education trusts and provided invaluable advice and guidance to myself and the College throughout the project.
Additionally, she was instrumental in ensuring that all key stakeholders remained supportive of the project. Following this we recommissioned GLK to convert a second primary school in to our Trust and we worked with both Gemma and Lesley to complete this. Again, the conversion was completed on time and on budget and led to GLK working with the College and Trust further regarding capacity and process management as the College flexed to take on the additional responsibility of two schools within the Trust. I would have no hesitation in recommending GLK Solutions for the delivery of key Education projects.
Charlie Deane
Bury College Educational Trust | (BCET)